Scale Up Strategies: The Business Podcast for Coaches, Consultants, and Speakers
We're your hosts and Business Coaching experts Mary Fain Brandt and Laura Bashore
We’re sharing all our mistakes and insider tips from our 20+ years in business and
how we successfully scaled up our businesses without losing our minds or our husbands.
Sure you can piece it together and try to DIY your way to success
OR
you can listen to us every week and learn the shortcuts because we promise there
are some.
Scale Up Strategies: The Business Podcast for Coaches, Consultants, and Speakers
Gift Giving Mastery for the Entrepreneur in Your Life
Thoughtful gifting can make a difference for the business owners in your life. This episode provides a diverse array of unique and practical gift ideas tailored for entrepreneurs, covering everything from tech gadgets to personal growth subscriptions.
• Highlighting the importance of digital tools for productivity
• Recommending desk organizers and docking stations for efficient workspace
• Discussing the necessity of comfortable headsets and noise-canceling headphones
• Debating the pros and cons of branded gifts
• Emphasizing the benefits of ergonomic office chairs
• Promoting coffee-related gifts for daily motivation
• Introducing smart reusable notebooks as a sustainable alternative
• Listing essential tech gadgets and portable chargers for on-the-go business owners
• Advocating for local gift cards to support small businesses
• Highlighting transformative gifts like memberships and coaching sessions
Share the podcast with your family and friends for gifting inspiration!
We will see you in the New Year with fresh episodes and amazing guests!
Thank you for listening to Scale Up Strategies: The Business Growth Podcast for Coaches, Consultants, and Speakers.
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Hey, listeners, this episode is all about great Christmas gifts for business owners in your life. I wish somebody had given my family a list of things that would be helpful for me when I was starting off my business, so we hope that this will give you some fresh new ideas and some creative gifting for the business owners in your life. Hey, and feel free to share this with your family and friends. You're listening to Scale Up Strategies, the business growth podcast for coaches, consultants and speakers. We're your hosts and business coach experts Mary Fain Brandt and Laura Bashore.
Laura Bashore:We're sharing all our insider tips from 20 plus years in business, including how we successfully scaled our businesses without losing our minds or our husbands.
Mary Fain Brandt:Sure, you can piece it together and try to DIY your way to success. Or you can listen to us every week and learn the shortcuts, because we promise they're really awesome.
Laura Bashore:So grab your favorite cup of coffee, tune in and let's start the show. Well, I agree with you on that. I mean, okay, this is going to hopefully some of these gifters aren't listening to this, but I just want to say, nicely, yes, I am in charge of my own business and, yes, I can be referred to as a boss of my own business and yes, I can be referred to as a boss, but I don't need any more boss notebooks. The end, that's how I'm starting it out.
Mary Fain Brandt:okay, what about like a customized planner? Like I do everything on my calendar, right, yeah and yes, and I buy a planner every year. You know what? It doesn't really work for me. For me, a digital subscription would be something that would be useful. So they have really great calendar programs that are digital subscriptions, so something like that would be great for the business owner in your life, whether it's paper or digital. You got to know what they like, right.
Laura Bashore:Yeah, exactly, I agree with that. And you know what? To be honest, the last two years I haven't used my physical one like I used to. I've used it to write down stuff, but I haven't been on it as much. So maybe you're onto something with this. Maybe it's time for me to switch to the digital calendar too.
Mary Fain Brandt:There's something called GoodNotes and I tried that, but my iPad is too old so I can't use it. I want a digital calendar subscription where it integrates with other platforms and where you can write on it. So that is gift number one. Gift number two is a desk organizer or docking station, because if they're a business owner like I have a CalDigit docking station and it's a godsend you guys. Everything can plug into it. So get rid of all those cords. Help the business owner in your life organize their desk, yeah seriously.
Laura Bashore:I think everybody needs that. You know we used to wear it as a badge of honor of, like this piles here and here's all my cords to plug in over here. But yeah, you got to declutter if you want to be able to be successful, because I, I mean, I cannot work in chaos. I just start getting distracted. So if anybody's like that, that's a really good gift suggestion for the business owner in your life and the one I have is the Cal digit.
Mary Fain Brandt:I highly recommend it. Our buddy, uh uh doc, Sean doc, from a podfest, he's the one who told me to get that when I was live streaming and having issues.
Mary Fain Brandt:Yeah, so I, you know he's my tech guy I go to. The other thing for business owners is headsets. We are on the phone, we are on zoom, so this is vid on. They're about 50 bucks on amazon. They last all day. They're comfortable. They are not in my ears, so I don't like things in my ears. They don't stay very well. So this is what is that? Bone conduction or something like that. So these, yeah, so they're not in my ears and if you're watching the video, yeah.
Laura Bashore:Oh they're right next to it, and so you're not going to get that thing where it starts to hurt.
Mary Fain Brandt:No, they do not hurt. They're super comfortable or even noise-canceling headphones I have a pair of those in my tech box. I take those more on trips so it can really help with focusing during work hours. So if someone is working from home and there's other people working from home, you might want to get them some noise-canceling headphones.
Laura Bashore:Definitely.
Mary Fain Brandt:Now Laura, how do you feel about branded items?
Laura Bashore:I think branded items can be tricky because it's harder to surprise somebody with that gift Because, especially like if they have their logo, you know if you don't have their vector file you're not going to be getting exactly what they want and, while it's appreciated, they won't be able to promote it right or they won't feel comfortable if it's something where, like, they could be out and about using it.
Mary Fain Brandt:So I think that's tricky, maybe less of a surprise, but maybe you do that Let them know one item you're getting and then surprise them with the really cool one, right, so they'll think, like you know, I was cleaning out some note cards and I found I was cleaning out some stationery and I found old note cards from my other brand that was blue and yellow and said connect, cultivate, convert. I was like oh.
Mary Fain Brandt:I'm like, okay, so yeah, Branded gifts are great, but how do you do that and surprise someone? So maybe, like you said, instead of surprising them, you say, hey, I would love to get you a branded sweatshirt that has your tagline on it, you know something like that or a hat, or some note cards. I love note cards still. I like to send those out once in a while, but it is a little harder with the logo stuff unless you work with them. You know, and you can do that.
Laura Bashore:Yeah Well, especially cause if you do the note card. So I have branded note cards as well. But if you're purchasing them for someone else again, they're going to be utilizing that for customers and business partners, and so they're going to want a little bit more skin in the game. I keep coming up with these ridiculous like cliches and and skin in the game. You know it's like.
Laura Bashore:No, I know, I was raised by men so all right okay, and on that note, on that note, um, anyways, just ask them, work with them. I know we haven't even talked about your hat yet. Is that why you're pointing at your?
Mary Fain Brandt:hat. No, yeah, so we are in red because this is one of our holiday editions, talking about gifts, but we want to get through this list. So what I'm pointing to in the video if someone, if you know someone, and it's a family member, let's say um, a good chair, this chair chair. It has heating and AC well fan. It has heating and fan and massage. It is not cheap. Totally worth the investment. A good ergonomic chair and it's even better when it comes in brand colors.
Mary Fain Brandt:Thank God I still have blue in my branding. Or, you know standing desk converter. You can buy just the one that goes on top of their desk. They're not that expensive.
Laura Bashore:If you've seen those, you don't have to have the whole standing desk set up you can buy just the converter, so it would look like you have like a shelf, then eventually like as it raises, because it's going to just click like onto the top and okay, okay, okay, I understand that nice description that worked, yeah, that worked.
Mary Fain Brandt:So you know, laura, and I love our coffee and I have I have two coffee makers and a pour over. So maybe the business owner in your life could use a mini coffee maker you know, maybe they have an office off-site do could use a mini coffee maker. You know, maybe they have an office offsite, do they have? Maybe their coffee maker needs to be upgraded. Let's be real, right? Maybe they have a Keurig. Maybe now they need an espresso or an espresso machine. If you want to get fancy and there's nothing wrong with a fancy espresso machine I had one back at Bishop's and I would make fresh espresso every day. It was great. But that fuels, you know, their mornings or those late nights. So I'm all down If anyone wants to send me another coffee machine. I am not going to be hurt.
Laura Bashore:No on that. I feel like you can never have too many and it's always fun to experiment and use them. So, um, I. You know other gifts that kind of go right along with that are personalized mugs or tumblers. I don't know about you, but I have so many coffee cups but I use them. I, I will use them. So.
Mary Fain Brandt:I just broke one, so I need a new one, my big pink one that says sassy since birth.
Mary Fain Brandt:Oh no, I'm sorry, mine all have sayings, but this next one, laura, you already have this. You know I want one. I haven't bought it. I think, if you want to like pizzazz, someone with a gift, a business owner or maybe just anyone these days, is a smart, reusable notebook. You have one. I saw it at podfest. They don't go on sale, folks. I've been watching, I haven't seen it on sale. Um, I really want one of these. It's eco-friendly, it's great for keeping your ideas organized and you guys, for those of you watching the video, it's great to get rid of these. You'll see me holding up all my post-it notes with ideas and thoughts and follow-ups and Laura is now holding up this paper, thin, reusable digital notebook. And what brand is that, laura?
Laura Bashore:This is remarkable, but this is so funny Every time I throw something in front of my lighting, it changes it. Look at how crazy that is right now. Hold on, hold, please.
Mary Fain Brandt:Okay, so if anyone's listening and you're curious as what kind of gift I might need for Christmas one of these notebooks, and that would be the best gift ever I'm just going to show you real quick because this is going to turn on.
Laura Bashore:But it's, it's really cool. So I never wanted anything digital because I like to write down my notes.
Mary Fain Brandt:That's right.
Laura Bashore:I am and I like to physically write down my notes and I want them here. But I'll tell you, this thing is so thin and for those who like the way, for those who like the way that notepads look, it has lined paper.
Mary Fain Brandt:Yeah, it's very cool, I saw it in person and I definitely want one, so you can upload eBooks to this, so I've uploaded.
Laura Bashore:When I've gone into certifications for nonprofit governing of boards, I just downloaded the book onto this beforehand and took this with me and I didn't have to bring a laptop or anything. I just brought the book onto this beforehand and took this with me and I didn't have to bring a laptop or anything. I just brought this beautiful, thin, lightweight thing and it's amazing and it's so organized and I saved a bunch of trees, because I do like taking notes.
Mary Fain Brandt:So then that let's just stay in tech. You know tech and gadgets, so portable chargers, extra cables in the stocking power banks, people that go to conferences we always need that. Yeah, ring lights and mini tripods, because vertical videos are the rage right on LinkedIn. So if anyone's trying to do more video like a mini tripod is great.
Mary Fain Brandt:Yes, a real light, um, maybe a new ipad or surface pro, like if they need a an additional uh device. I need to update. I need to upgrade my ipad. I think I have a version two or three and I think they're on like 12 or I don't know what they're on. I like to keep my stuff.
Laura Bashore:Yeah, my dad still has a iPhone six.
Mary Fain Brandt:Oh interesting, yeah, so he needs to upgrade that.
Laura Bashore:Um, not no, there's certain things he can't access, and I keep telling him you need to get a new one now. Um, like, yeah, he can't download NFL app, which is very important, and he also, though, can't communicate with his healthcare because their app is too upgraded. So upgrade your tech, folks. Upgrade your tech.
Mary Fain Brandt:So, okay, there's some fun and creative gifts, things like learning platforms, you guys. So, if the person in your life has been talking the business owner you know has been talking about wanting to learn something, whether it's a language or a skill, maybe there's a platform out there, or maybe there's a tool that they need for their business, like a video tool. Again, I'm going to mention video because we all need to do more videos. So, capcut Vidyo, invideo AI, maybe you get them an annual subscription or maybe you pay for the first two months to see if they're really going to like it, but I think any subscription to a tool that would enhance their business, streamline their process, would be great. And then, laura, do you want to talk about the next one?
Laura Bashore:Yes, so I love gift card. You know how some people are like coupons. Okay, so gift card is the new coupon. Like legitimately and figure out local things that they like. So coffee sometimes people don't like to do a Starbucks card, sometimes they like it a little bit more local. A really cool, curated like these are gifts that just kind of step it up a notch.
Mary Fain Brandt:Nothing against Starbucks, I drink Starbucks too, but a local coffee shop and bakery, like we have Boyer Bakery here, and to me I would much rather have that versus Starbucks.
Laura Bashore:I want to support the small.
Mary Fain Brandt:I want, I want to support the small business owner.
Laura Bashore:That too. You know we go out of our ways to try and do that, and when you do that for someone else, you're also letting them know that your support. It just encourages people to do that themselves too. So, like local gift cards, that coffee shops, co-working spaces so my headquarters I have an office for Team Referral Network and it is at a co-working space, and so that's something also that they'll do too. At VentureX you can purchase a conference space or maybe you want them to try out like a, like an office. You could do that for them and it's a nice change of pace and scenery and a lot of times, if it's the right coworking spot, people really appreciate that and see the value of like. Oh, maybe I do need to get out of this solo silo and go check out and hang out with people once or twice a week.
Mary Fain Brandt:There's lots of different ways that you can support the business owner in your life, whether it's a tech gadget, it's a space at a co-working space, gift cards to their favorite coffee shop or lunch place, buying them a membership to something they've been talking about. Maybe you pay for their chamber membership or maybe you pay for a quarter of it.
Laura Bashore:There's just so many different things right, I just thought of that one, I was like I like that one, because I was like don't get me a gym membership.
Mary Fain Brandt:I don't want something that I need to commit to like that.
Mary Fain Brandt:Yeah. So I think that there's a lot of different ways that you can support business owners by buying them something that can help transform their business or save time. So maybe it's coaching sessions, maybe they've been wanting to work with a personal coach, maybe they want a platform or a subscription, or a new tablet or an iPad or these amazing headphones. There's lots of different ways and these things they cost literally. You can start at $10 and go up to 500. So there's something for everyone. We just wanna encourage you to support the business owners in your life. You guys feel free to take these ideas, print out the transcription from the podcast and leave it on the kitchen table or in the bathroom, or mail it you know to your family, just in case you were wondering what to get me for Christmas. So think about those who are in your sphere and, if they are, business owners.
Laura Bashore:These are some great different tools, things that you can use and surprise them with something that's just not the standard gift, right? Let's go outside of the box a little bit and find something that's a little bit more curated to them. So we are so thankful to have you guys in our sphere as business owners and listening to this podcast. Something you can do for free as a gift is to share this podcast that you've already subscribed to, right? Because?
Mary Fain Brandt:that's good, Laura. That was good.
Laura Bashore:I liked that one Good job so share this, because that's not only giving a gift of something new and some new knowledge to your business sphere, but you're also helping gift us, so it's like a win-win for everyone. And please rate us and then interact with us. Engage with us on whatever other social platform that you're connected to us with we are on LinkedIn, facebook, instagram, youtube and give us your comments. Let us know what you're looking to hear from us in the coming year, because we love your feedback and we wanna see how we can continue to be a value of our business owners who listen here. That's it for now, so until next time, here's to good coffee, great conversations and even greater success.
Mary Fain Brandt:If you enjoyed the podcast, show us some love. Please love, please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast, and if you have any feedback, go ahead and share that with us too, because we want to hear from you. Until then, stay focused, stay motivated and stay caffeinated.
